by Vella, Wendy
“Hello, hello. Apologies for my tardiness, I simply had to finish the seam I was working on.” Hannah Wooller clapped her hands as she looked at Bella. “That dress is simply stunning, as we knew it would be, Isabella.”
She was the other partner in the boutique with Alex Hetherington and Phoebe.
“I think the sleeves could have been longer.”
Bella giggled as Hannah spun to scowl at Alex who had also joined their little gathering. It was he who had made the comment.
“Nonsense, Hetherington! They are perfect as they are.”
Alex winked at Bella as he held his hand out to Hannah. “Come, we shall debate this on the dance floor, as I hear a waltz striking up, and it is my wish to dance with the only woman who can ruin it for me.”
Hannah harrumphed, but put her hand in his just the same.
“Livvy,” Bella said watching them as her sister was. “Are they?”
“Phoebe said that it was best not to speculate when it comes to those two, my dear.”
She said nothing further, happy to sit quietly. She did not tell Livvy what Thea and she had discussed on their walk, because her sister had dreamt of the day she could take Bella into society and she would not ruin that joy for her. Perhaps like she had told Thea, over time she would learn to love these gatherings.
“Lord, Livvy, I don’t know if I can keep this up for weeks.” Thea fell into the chair to her left, after her latest dance partner had returned her to them.
“You’ll get used to it,” Livvy said, yawning.
“Would you like to go home to Henry now, Livvy?” Bella rubbed her sister’s arm. “I’m sure Will is pining for him, too, and I know my feet would be more than happy to be on the same level as my body,” she added.
“I do miss him, and even though he is likely to be asleep, I find myself longing to see him again.” Livvy accompanied these words with a soft smile that Bella knew was just for her son.
“Then we shall leave soon.”
“I’m going to soak my feet,” Thea sighed. “And if you’re interested, I’m ready to leave too.”
“I’m not and you’ll do as you’re told.” Bella accompanied these words with a smile.
“Ha, I’m too tired to find a suitable retort.”
“First we must drink the refreshments Lord Anthony is bringing us,” Bella whispered as he approached carrying several glasses. “Thank you, my lord. You are most kind.”
He stood before her, sipping his own drink. “And will you both be attending the Hampton musical tomorrow evening?”
Bella looked to Livvy who nodded.
“It seems we are, my lord.”
Bella chatted with him for the next few minutes. He was a man who liked to ride and, like her now, loved to walk, and it was the first genuine conversation she had been a part of all evening.
“I have two dogs who accompany me everywhere.”
“I have a dog. He’s all black, with eyes that melt your heart and floppy ears. He’s still young.”
“And he eats shoes and whatever else is left around the house,” Livvy added.
“His name is Edmond.”
“Seems a serious name for a pup,” Lord Anthony said.
“I call him Eddie.”
He laughed. “Ah, now that I’m sure suits him better.”
Lord Anthony soon took his leave when Bella had told him of their intended departure.
“Then I shall bid you farewell, fair ladies, safe in the knowledge that we shall meet again tomorrow.”
“I don’t like him.” Thea narrowed her eyes as she followed his back.
“Thea!” How can you say such a thing when he was so polite,” Bella protested.
“His eyes are too close together, and his hand was too…too grabby.”
“Grabby is not a word,” Bella said, taking Livvy’s hand as they both rose.
“Time to leave, darling?” Will appeared as if by magic, and Bella was fairly certain that whatever he had been doing, he had made sure to have them in his sights while he did it.
“It should be a word,” Livvy said, ignoring him, although Bella noted she leaned into him as he placed an arm around her waist. “There are many men who are far too grabby, in my opinion.”
“Present company excluded,” Will said, leading them from the room. “And I shall break the fingers of anyone grabby in future.” They made their way through the other guests until they reached the entranceway. Luke materialized before them, a carefully blank expression on his handsome features. His servant's look, Bella realized. The look that offered no opinion, good or bad.
“Good evening. Your carriage is this way.”
“He does stuffy with panache, wouldn’t you say Livvy?” Will said as they followed Luke’s tall straight form. “Pompous, actually. I miss him driving us about just to see him like this.”
Bella watched Luke slow his step as he looked around him, then ram his elbow into Will’s side which made the wind wheeze from his body. He then strode out in front once more.
“You deserved that,” said his heartless wife, “for teasing him. Well done, Luke.”
“Thank you, Olivia.”
They arrived at the carriage and Will opened the door.
“In you get, you heartless woman.” Will glared at Luke, who smiled back. Thea got in next.
“Was it everything you thought it would be?” Luke spoke from behind her so she had to turn to look at him.
“Yes and no.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“I think not,” Bella said before climbing in and letting Luke close the door behind her. She wasn’t really sure herself how she felt about the evening, so until she was, she would not be talking to him about it.
“I danced with Lord Anthony tonight, Will, and he asked me to go driving in the park with him,” Bella said. “What do you know of him?
“I don’t know a lot about him,” Will said, nestling Livvy into his side. “He was the distant cousin to the late Viscount Anthony, and came into his title as he was basically the last male heir standing. He really only stepped into society a year ago. Of course I was not impressed with the way he spoke to Luke when he called upon us at Twoaks, but am willing to give him another chance…but only one.”
“Yes, I too was not happy then, but he does seem nice despite what Thea believes,” Bella said, thinking of the smiling Lord Anthony.
“He’s too grabby,” Thea said again.
“So you said, but as he was never anything put polite to me, I shall have to wait to form an opinion of him until we are better acquainted. Perhaps we can be friends.”
“Well, when he turns out to be a reptile of dubious morals, then don’t say you weren’t warned.” Thea yawned loudly.
“Do reptiles have morals?” Bella looked around the carriage.
“None I know do,” Will added.
The conversation leapt from one foolish conversation to another, as they were all weary and, as such, prone to laughing far too easily over the silliest things. Thankfully, after they had dropped Thea off, it was only a further ten minutes until they reached Will and Livvy’s townhouse.
Luke was once again there to help her from the carriage and she murmured goodnight and then made her way inside.
“I’m glad you enjoyed your first night out, Bella.”
“It was perfect. Thank you, Will.” She kissed his and her sister's cheeks and then made her way through the quiet house to her room. She found Eddie curled up on her bed. Sally was still awake and helped her wash and change and then she slipped on her robe and sat in the chair by her desk. She should be tired, but strangely, now she was prepared for bed, she was not.
“You retire now, Sally. I shall just sit here for awhile.”
“Good night, then.”
She stared at the fire glowing in the grate and then rose to her feet. Pulling on her slippers, she went out and along the hall. She would see who was awake, if anyone, and get them to make her some tea. She knew how, but real
ly didn’t want to disturb cook, who slept not far from the kitchens.
The light under Will’s office door made her open it, and she found Luke seated behind the desk. He’d shed his jacket and had a glass of amber liquid in one hand. He looked at home there, as if this was his office, not Will’s.
“Why are you not in bed?” He lowered the glass to the desk and rose to his feet, always the gentleman.
“I was not tired, and thought to see if anyone was about to make me some tea.”
“I can make you some tea.”
Luke had seen Bella’s hair loose plenty of times, but tonight he wanted to touch it, run his fingers through it while he kissed her. She wore a thin robe and night dress and the body beneath wore no under garments. There were only two layers between the evening air and her body. A body he ached for.
“I can make my own tea, Luke. I just had no wish to disturb cook to do it.”
“But whoever made you your tea at this hour would disturb her anyway, so what difference does it make who does it?”
She hadn’t moved, still standing just inside the doorway looking at him as they had this ridiculous conversation.
He’d thought about her tonight, while she danced and talked with those like her. Thought about the men who would lust after her as he did, about the men who would want to marry her as he did. The thoughts had driven him slowly mad.
“It doesn’t matter, you’re right. Therefore, I shall make it.”
“No, you wait here and I shall do it.”
He reached the door and took her hand, bringing her further into the room so he could leave.
“No, you were here, alone, enjoying the solitude and I intruded. My tea can wait until morning.”
Shutting the door slowly, he turned to face her.
“I’ve had quite enough of this discussion about tea.”
“H-have you?” She swallowed as he closed the small gap between them, but never retreated.
“Yes.” He stroked a hand down her hair. Picking up a handful, he wrapped it around his fingers. “I haven’t seen this out for a long time.”
“It’s quite heavy.”
“It’s like silk.” He cupped her head, burying his hands through the silken strands. “Bella.”
His sigh stopped as he kissed her. He was ravenous for her; it had been so long since their last kiss and he had thought of it endlessly. She didn’t hesitate; her hands went around his neck as she pushed her body into his.
“This shouldn’t happen,” he rasped, kissing her jaw then down her neck. “This is Will’s office.”
“Shut up and kiss me.” She pulled his hair hard, making him return his lips to
hers, and he took her mouth in a long, searing kiss filled with heat and promise that left them both breathless.
He parted her robe, needing to feel her, wanting to touch all of her, the voice of reason now well and truly banished. Pushing it from her shoulders, he ran his hands down her spine then back up her ribs until he reached the swell of her breasts. He had dreamt of this for years— touching her, making her his. Moving one hand upwards, he took her cries into his mouth as he cupped the full flesh, the nipple pressed against the fabric and into his palm.
Releasing her lips, he skated his mouth over her chin and down her neck, the soft sounds of her breathing driving him on until he reached her buttons, slowly he undid each, kissing the skin he exposed until he pushed the fabric aside.
“I dreamt of you, Bella. Dreamt of kissing you, touching you, swallowing your cries.”
“Since our kisses, I have dreamt to. Woken hot with need.”
He kissed the rise of each breast, then circled the hard nipple with his tongue. Her scent intoxicated him; the taste pulled him deeper into the sensual web that surrounded them. One hand lowered and eased up the hem of her nightdress so he could slip his hand beneath.
“Let me touch you, too, Luke. Please.”
“I can’t, love. I could never stop then.” His breath brushed her skin, making her shiver. Then he took her nipple into his mouth and she shuddered.
“M-must you stop?”
He didn’t answer; this was for her, his need would be assuaged by his hand, not hers. Stroking his hand upwards, he found the crease of her thigh as his mouth continued to torment her flesh, teasing, nibbling. Her breathing was rapid now, her body bowed tight. Turning his thumb inwards, he touched the soft hair between her legs.
“I want you, this,” she whispered. “Please, Luke.”
“I know, love.” He lifted his head from her breast as he pushed his hands into the swollen folds and stroked down the damp crease. Her legs opened further and he stroked her softly, his fingers soon coated in her desire.
“Let me love you, Bella.” He whispered the words against her lips as he touched the small, hard bud between her thighs, swallowing her cries. He then eased a finger inside her. She was tight and he ached to feel that delicious, wet heat wrapped around him as he buried himself inside her. But not now, not tonight. And definitely not here in her family home.
He stroked as the pressure built. He cupped her breast, rubbing the sensitive tip with his palm, and she arched into him, crying out as the wave of pleasure crashed over her.
Luke held her against him as she returned to reality. His body was so aroused it was painful, but he could not step away, not yet. He righted her clothes, and then ran a hand over her head, holding her while her breathing slowed.
“You found no release, Luke.”
“It matters not.” His words were gruff as he fought the urge to press his hard flesh into her.
“It matters to me.” She pulled away from him, her eyes still dazed with passion as she looked up at him. “Let me touch you.”
“No.” He stepped away from her as she reached for him. “Go to bed now, Bella. Please,” he added as she followed him.
“So I am to find pleasure at your hands, but you cannot from mine.”
“What we just did gave me pleasure, Bella. Never doubt that.”
If she touched him, he’d be lost.
“But you are aroused.” She moved closer as his thighs touched the back of the desk.
“Please go to bed, Bella.” She was every one of his fantasies. Here, telling him she wanted to touch him, hair unbound, wearing a thin piece of cotton and the remnants of passion still smoldering in her eyes.
She pressed her lips to his as one of her hands swept down his chest. The shock tensed every muscle in his body. The feel of her hand, even through his shirt, made him burn.
“Let me touch you, Luke.” Her breath fanned his jaw as she kissed it.
“No, this is not right. Ah, God.” She touched him through his breeches. “You shouldn’t, this is wrong, you’re—”
“Yes, I’m innocent, but I know what happens between a man and a woman. My sisters have told me so I will be ready when the time arises, which is now.”
Gone was the sweet, innocent girl who’d bewitched him; in her place was a sensual woman. She cupped him through his breeches and moved her hand up and down until he moaned long and low in his throat. All power to resist fled as she continued. She released the buttons and then her hand was inside, touching him. He took her face between his hands and kissed her hard as her fingers continued to torment him until the pressure became too much and he pulled away just before his release. Pulling his breeches closed, he fastened them. He couldn’t find any words for what had just happened between them, so he sat on the desk and pulled her between his legs and back into his arms. He knew not how long they stood there, only that it was heaven to feel her head resting against his chest, her body soft and content to be pressed to his. Eventually, he knew he had to take her back to her room in case someone chanced upon them.
“We must get you to bed, sweetheart.”
She didn’t resist as he led her from the room, and when he kissed her goodnight, her lips clung to his. Pushing her gently away from him, he shut her door and found his own room. Stripping his clothes, he was
hed away the evidence of what they’d done, she’d done to him.
How the hell would he be able to resist her now?
Slipping between the sheets, he knew what he had to do. It was time to become the man she deserved so that when the season finished he could claim her for his wife.
CHAPTER TEN
Luke rose early as the gray fingers of dawn slipped through the crack in his curtains. He’d known that further sleep was hopeless, so he washed, dressed and went to work in Will’s office. There were no signs of what had taken place in here, nothing to say he and Bella had pleasured each other. He’d never experienced anything like that with another woman before. He’d been with women and most had been to ease the need inside him, but with Bella, it had been exquisite pleasure. Pushing aside the memory, or he would get no work done, he began planning an investment opportunity he had been thinking about. It was time to move forward with his life if he wanted her to share it with him.
Looking at the clock, Luke realized he’d been in the office for many hours. Standing, he stretched and decided to make his way to the kitchens and see if he could coerce Mrs. Cockle into giving him food. Leaving the room, he walked down the hall to the stairs. Looking over the railing as he started to descend, he stopped. Leaning over further, he was confronted with a sea of color.
“Where the hell did they come from?”
There were flowers everywhere, and Roberts, Will’s butler, was just bringing another bunch inside.
“From Miss Langley’s admirers, Mr. Fletcher,” Roberts said, grunting slightly as he placed the flowers beside the others. “There have been people calling all morning and cards delivered, followed by flowers.”
Luke had known she was beautiful; in fact, to his mind no one was her equal. But he hadn’t known this would happen. That after just one night in society, she would have men sending her flowers and calling. He’d refused to acknowledge that she would be a success because she was his; therefore, no one else could have her.
“My dear Miss Langley, we have yet to make a date for our drive in the park.”
Luke heard the voices above him and hurried down the stairs.